Construction of rotating bezel section for watch cases

ABSTRACT

A bezel is sealed to a watch-case by the use of packing seated in annular grooves in the case band and in the bezel. The depths of the grooves and pressures against the packing are such that accidental disengagement of the bezel from the watch case is prevented and a water-tight seal is provided, although the bezel can rotate smoothly around the case band. The depth of the case band groove is greater than that of the bezel groove so that the packing is retained in the case band during intentional removal of the bezel.

United States Patent Fujimori [451 May 16,1972

[72] Inventor: Yoshiaki Fujimori, Suwa-shi, Japan [73] Assignee:Kabushiki Kaisha Suwa Sukosha [22] Filed: Dec. 8, 1969 [21] Appl, No.:883,049

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Dec. 10, 1968 Japan ..43/90069[52] U.S. Cl ..58/91 [51] Int. Cl. .....G04b 39/00 [58] Field of Search..58/90, 91, I04, I05

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,431,722 3/1969 Haas..58/91 X Piquerez ..5 8/90 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 857,78010/1952 Germany ..58/90 215,994 7/ I 941 Switzerland ...58/9O 346,825 11/1960 Switzerland ...58/90 408,793 9/ l 966 Switzerland ..58/90 PrimaryExaminer-Richard B. Wilkinson Assistant Examiner-George H. Miller, Jr.Attorney-Blum, Moscovitz, Friedman & Kaplan [5 7] ABSTRACT 3 Claims, 4Drawing Figures PATENTEDMAY 16 I972 SHEET 1 OF 2 .F/GJ'L r P A W zCONSTRUCTION OF ROTATING BEZEL SECTION FOR WATCI-ICASES BRIEFDESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view showing aconstruction of a conventional rotating bezel section.-

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a conventional rotating bezel sectionwhere a spring is set in.

F IG. 3 is a cross sectional view showing a rotating bezel sectionbefore assembling according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view showing a rotating bezel section afterassembling according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION The present invention relates to aconstruction of a rotatable ring (hereinafter referred to a rotatingbezel) attached to the periphery of a watch case.

FIG. 1 and 2 is a construction of a conventional rotating bezel section.1 is a rotating bezel, 2 a case band of a watch and 3 a spring by whichthe rotating bezel l is fixed rotatably to the case band 2 and having abending portion 11 and a straight portion 10 as shown in FIG. 2. 6 isformed in the inner surface of the rotating bezel 1. It is a groove forreceiving the spring 3. 4 is the outer wall of the groove, 9 a lowerwall of it. Further 7 is formed in the case band. It is also a groovefor receiving the spring 3. is the inner wall of the groove. 8 an upperwall of it.

In this construction, when the rotating bezel 1 is engaged with the caseband, the spring 3 is stretched over in the groove 6 of the rotatingbezel l and the groove 7 of the case band 2. And there, the bendingportion 11 contacts with the outer wall 4 of the rotating bezel 1, whilethe straight portion contacts with the inner wall 5 of the case band 2.The force necessary for rotation of the rotating bezel, that is, therotating force is controlled by an elasticity of the spring. Furthermoreit is so constructed that disengagement of the rotating bezel 1 from thecase band 2 is prevented supporting a lower portion of the bendingportion 11 and the upper portion of the straight portion 10 of thespring 3 by the lower wall 9 of the groove 6 and the upper wall 8 of thegroove 7 respectively. Namely, in such a construction the spring 3 hasbeen useful for controlling the rotating force and also preventing therotating bezel from disengaging. Therefore, the shape and the dimensionof the bending portion 11 and the straight portion 10 of the spring 3have had a-subtle influence on the rotating force and disengagemerit ofthe rotating bezel 1. In other words, the spring of high accuracy wasrequired to control the rotating force and'to prevent disengagement.However, a spring itself has an elasticity and it is difficult to makeit with high accuracy. Thus, the productivity couldnt be increased.Moreover, the spring 3 formed with the bending portion 11 and thestraight portion 10 is apt to deform permanently after setting in once.So if the spring deformed was set in again, the rotating force waschanged and the rotating bezel was apt to disengage. Therefore, whenre-setting in the spring, amendment was required in bending.

A rotating bezel has been used mainly for a waterproof watch case. Whensuch a watch was put into the water, water was apt to come in the gap inthe rotating bezel section. Besides it was difficult to wipe away waterfrom the outside. Therefore, rust was apt to produce on the spring 3 orthe groove 6 of the rotating bezel l and the groove 7 of the case band 2etc. Further the rotating bezel was sometimes unable to rotate itself.

The spring 3, the case band 2 and the rotating bezel 1 are all made ofmetals. Namely a metal contacts with a metal each other. So when therotating bezel 1 is rotated, uncomfortable feeling is transmitted to thetips of fingers. Such watches are not desirable as marketable products.In order to eliminate this uncomforatable feeling, in some watches suchsprings have been only used to prevent the bezel from disengaging. Thusother parts such as a packing was used together.

The object of the present invention is to eliminate above defects and toprovide an improved construction of a rotating bezel section.

Hereinafter one embodiment will be disclosed with accompanying drawings.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, 12 is a rotating bezel, 13 a packing made ofsynthetic resins or rubbers etc. and having an elasticity, 16 a caseband of a watch case, 15 a groove which is formed in the inner surfaceof the rotating bezel in order to receive the packing 13. And 20 is theouter wall of the groove 15 and 18 the lower wall of it. Further 14 is agroove which is formed in the case band 16 in order to receive thepacking 13. And 17 is the upper wall of the groove 14 and 19 the innerwall of it.

Further it is so constructed that there is an interference between theinner wall 20 of the rotating bezel l2 and the packing 13 when thepacking 13 is received in the groove 14 of the case band 16. When therotating bezel 12 is engaged with the case band 16 as shown in FIG. 4,the packing is compressed over into the groove 14 of the case band 16and the groove 15 of the rotating bezel 12 in such a manner that theelasticity of the packing 13 is exerted against the walls 17, l8, l9 and20 respectively. Therefore, the rotation of the rotating bezel 12 can becontrolled by the elasticity of the packing 13 which is exerted againstthe inner wall 20 of the rotating bezel 12 and the outer wall 19 of thecase band 16. Further disengagement of the rotating bezel 12 can beprevented. by the walls 17 and 18.

In this construction, packings may have 0 shape or D shape in the crosssection. They can perform same function above. And a gutter for oil maybe provided in order to make the rotation smooth.

It can be understood from the above description that in the constructionaccording to the present invention, both functions such as the controlof the rotation of the rotating bezel and the prevention fromdisengagement are carried out by setting the packing 13 having uniformelasticity in the space formed by the grooves 14 and 15 which are formedon the case band 16 and the rotating bezel 12 respectively. With such asimple construction according to the present invention, a difficultprocess such as spring bendingetc. is not required. And all the partscan be easily adapted to the related dimensions. Further. theproductivity can be promoted and the watches of high quality can beobtained.

The contact between the packing 13 made of rubbers or synthetic resinsand the rotating bezel or the case band 16 made of metals make therotation of the rotating bezel very smooth. Therefore, the watches ofhigh quality as marketable products can be provided.

Moreover since the packing 13 has an elasticity itself, re-assembly canbe easily carried out without conventional subtle adjustment. Besides asa packing is received in the grooves, water doesnt get in and thegrooves 14 and 15 are prevented from rusting. Then as a packing itselfresists rust, it can be completely prevented that the rotation doesntcarry out due to the rust on a groove or a packing etc.

Therefore, the initial accuracy can be maintained for a long term use.

What is claimed is:

l. A watch case providing for rotation of a bezel, comprising a casebandhaving an outer wall with an annular groove, a bezel having an innerwall surrounding said outer wall of said caseband, said inner wallhaving an annular groove therein located at a position complementary tothat of said groove in said outer wall and an annular packing receivedin said grooves, the inner wall of said bezel having a free end slopedto facilitate introduction of said packing into said bezel duringassembly of said watch case, the depth of said groove in said casebandbeing greater than the depth of said groove in said bezel so that saidpacking may be retained in said groove in said caseband during any laterremoval of said bezel from said caseband, and the total depth of bothgrooves relative to said annular packing being such that accidentaldisengagement of said bezel from said caseband is prevented whilepermitting of said grooves has a gutter therein for reception of alubricant smooth rotation of said bezel around said caseband and spaceto tat tati n fSaid bezel.

for holding water in said grooves is essentially nonexistent, i Watchcase defined in Claim wherein ai thereby preventing rusting packing, Incross section, lS D-shaped.

2. The watch case as defined in claim 1, wherein at least one 5

1. A watch case providing for rotation of a bezel, comprising a casebandhaving an outer wall with an annular groove, a bezel having an innerwall surrounding said outer wall of said caseband, said inner wallhaving an annular groove therein located at a position complementary tothat of said groove in said outer wall and an annular packing receivedin said grooves, the inner wall of said bezel having a free end slopedto facilitate introduction of said packing into said bezel duringassembly of said watch case, the depth of said groove in said casebandbeing greater than the depth of said groove in said bezel so that saidpacking may be retained in said groove in said caseband during any laterremoval of said bezel from said caseband, and the total depth of bothgrooves relative to said annular packing being such that accidentaldisengagement of said bezel from said caseband is prevented whilepermitting smooth rotation of said bezel around said caseband and spacefor holding water in said grooves is essentially nonexistent, therebypreventing rusting.
 2. The watch case as defined in claim 1, wherein atleast one of said grooves has a gutter therein for reception of alubricant to facilitate rotation of said bezel.
 3. The watch case asdefined in claim 1, wherein said packing, in cross section, is D-shaped.